U.S. patent application number 11/848985 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for electrical storage battery.
This patent application is currently assigned to Varta Automotive Systems GmbH. Invention is credited to Dieter Bechtold, Ralf Joswig, Kai Pelz, Martin Wiegmann.
Application Number | 20080063934 11/848985 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38657484 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080063934 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bechtold; Dieter ; et
al. |
March 13, 2008 |
ELECTRICAL STORAGE BATTERY
Abstract
An electrical storage battery includes a housing and a plurality
of rectangular cell assembly modules electrically coupled together.
The rectangular cell assembly modules are mounted by spring damping
elements in the housing and are in each case arranged in an
intermediate space between an outer area of at least one lower edge
of the cell assembly modules and the housing, with at least one
common spring damping element extending transversely with respect
to the direction of the longest side of the cell assembly modules
along the plurality of cell assembly modules.
Inventors: |
Bechtold; Dieter; (Bad
Vilbel, DE) ; Pelz; Kai; (Springe, DE) ;
Joswig; Ralf; (Buchholz, DE) ; Wiegmann; Martin;
(Borstel, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP;SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
Varta Automotive Systems
GmbH
|
Family ID: |
38657484 |
Appl. No.: |
11/848985 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
429/151 ;
429/149 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 60/10 20130101;
H01M 50/20 20210101; H01M 50/24 20210101; H01M 50/209 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
429/151 ;
429/149 |
International
Class: |
H01M 6/42 20060101
H01M006/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 1, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 041 326.1 |
Claims
1. An electrical storage battery comprising: a housing; and a
plurality of rectangular cell assembly modules electrically coupled
together; wherein the rectangular cell assembly modules are mounted
by spring damping elements in the housing and are in each case
arranged in an intermediate space between an outer area of at least
one lower edge of the cell assembly modules and the housing, with
at least one common spring damping element extending transversely
with respect to the direction of the longest side of the cell
assembly modules along the plurality of cell assembly modules.
2. The electrical storage battery of claim 1, wherein at least two
spring damping elements are arranged in the outer area of the lower
edges of the cell assembly modules.
3. The electrical storage battery of claim 1, wherein at least one
spring damping element is arranged on both side edges of the cell
assembly modules.
4. The electrical storage battery of claim 1, further comprising at
least one mounting rail having an L-shaped profile defined by two
limbs arranged at generally right angles to one another on
associated side edges, the mounting rail provided adjacent to a
transitions between lower edges and side edges of the cell assembly
modules.
5. The electrical storage battery of claim 4, wherein the mounting
rail extends transversely with respect to the direction of the
longest side of the cell assembly modules along the plurality of
cell assembly modules, the mounting rail comprising grooves to hold
the spring damping elements.
6. The electrical storage battery of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of mounting rails each having an L-shaped profile defined
by two limbs which are generally at right angles to one another on
associated side edges, the mounting rails provided adjacent to a
transition between lower edges and side edges of the cell assembly
modules, the mounting rails extending transversely with respect to
the direction of the longest side of the cell assembly modules
along the plurality of cell assembly modules, with at least one of
the mounting rails being formed from a spring and damping material
and acting as a spring damping element for elements.
7. The electrical storage battery of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of mounting rails each having an L-shaped profile defined
by two limbs which are generally at right angles to one another on
associated side edges, the mounting rails provided adjacent to a
transition between lower edges and side edges of the cell assembly
modules, the mounting rails extending transversely with respect to
the direction of the longest side of the cell assembly modules
along the plurality of cell assembly modules, with at least one of
the mounting rails being screwed to the housing via a spring
pack.
8. The electrical storage battery claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of spring damping elements provided adjacent to side
walls of the housing and side walls of at least one of the cell
assembly modules.
9. The electrical storage battery of claim 8, wherein the spring
damping elements are formed from an elastomeric material.
10. The electrical storage battery of claim 1, wherein the cell
assembly modules are coupled to the housing with at least one fixed
bearing.
11. The electrical storage battery of claim 10, wherein the at
least one fixed bearing is provided in the form of a tongue and
groove connection between the cell assembly module and the
housing.
12. The electrical storage battery of claim 10, wherein the at
least one fixed bearing is provided in the form of a mounting
element which is firmly connected in the housing.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
electrical storage batteries, and more particularly, to such
batteries having a housing and a plurality of rectangular cell
assembly modules which are electrically connected to one
another.
[0002] Electrical storage batteries are sufficiently well known, in
particular for use in vehicles. Starter batteries are generally in
the form of lead-acid rechargeable batteries, in which a
multiplicity of electrolyte plates are held in a plastic housing
which is filled with electrolyte.
[0003] Furthermore, the use of electrical storage batteries as
traction batteries in vehicles is also known. Nickel metal hydride,
nickel cadmium, or lithium cells are used, in particular, for this
purpose.
[0004] In these storage batteries, round cells have electrode
plates which are wound and are located one on top of the other. The
cuboid cells have a multiplicity of rectangular electrode plates
which are stacked one on top of the other, separated from one
another by separators. These round cells or cuboid cells can
themselves once again be combined to form cell assembly
modules.
[0005] An electrical storage battery which is suitable in
particular for use as a traction battery for supplying a vehicle
has a multiplicity of such cells or cell assembly modules, which
are arranged in a common housing. The arrangement and installation
of the cell assembly modules in the housing are in this case
optimized in particular for the thermal behavior in the
housing.
[0006] DE 100 64 648 A1 discloses an electrical storage battery
having a housing and a plurality of round cells which are
electrically connected to one another. A plurality of round cells
are connected in series to form a cylindrical cell assembly module,
with the aid of connecting pieces. The cell assembly modules are
then held by means of circular openings in a mount in the form of a
disk, so that they are arranged alongside one another along a
radius, leaving a cavity free in the center for cooling. This
resultant tubular arrangement of cell assembly modules has
electrical contact made with it and is mechanically fixed by
contact plates at both ends. The entire arrangement is firmly
screwed in a housing.
[0007] AT 27 667 E discloses a lead-acid rechargeable battery in
which the connector strips of electrodes are mounted, by means of a
shock-absorbing element, on the base of the cell vessel. This
reduces the sensitivity of lead-acid rechargeable batteries to
shocks.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,949 B2 discloses a battery pack having a
plurality of cylindrical lithium-ion rechargeable battery cells,
which are held in a rectangular housing. Vibration-damping
materials are applied to the eight corners, the narrow face edges
or the upper and lower faces of the housing.
[0009] JP 2003 25 7391 A discloses a battery pack having a
multiplicity of cells which are mounted in the battery pack by
vibration-damping means, for example springs. For vehicle
applications in particular, the individual cells and cell assembly
modules of electrochemical storage batteries must withstand the
environmental conditions throughout the life of the vehicle. In
this case, inter alia, the storage batteries must be able to absorb
the vibration, oscillations, shocks and impacts transmitted through
the vehicle, without being damaged. At the same time, forces and
geometric changes that occur, for example those which can occur as
a result of the internal pressure in the cells or cell assembly
modules or as a result of temperature-dependent geometric changes,
must be tolerable, and it must be possible to cope with them
reliably. In addition, it must be possible to cope with
manufacturing tolerances, that is to say dimensional differences
between the components, during assembly, so as to allow the
individual components to be accommodated and secured reliably.
SUMMARY
[0010] An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to an
electrical storage battery that includes a housing and a plurality
of rectangular cell assembly modules electrically coupled together.
The rectangular cell assembly modules are mounted by spring damping
elements in the housing and are in each case arranged in an
intermediate space between an outer area of at least one lower edge
of the cell assembly modules and the housing, with at least one
common spring damping element extending transversely with respect
to the direction of the longest side of the cell assembly modules
along the plurality of cell assembly modules.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an electrical storage
battery having a multiplicity of cell assembly modules mounted in
mounting rails.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a cell assembly module having
grooves and mounting rails at the lower corners.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a view of the narrow face of a cell assembly
module with a transversely running groove.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the electrical storage battery
shown in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a detail from the side view shown in FIG. 4,
with a spring damping element between the side wall of the housing
and the side wall of the outer cell assembly module.
[0016] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the electrical storage
battery.
[0017] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a cell assembly module with a
transversely running groove, and a further embodiment of mounting
rails for loose and fixed bearing.
[0018] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an electrical storage
battery having a multiplicity of cell assembly modules supported in
mounting rails.
[0019] FIG. 9 shows a side view of a cell assembly module having a
transversely running groove and a further embodiment of mounting
rails for loose and fixed bearing.
[0020] FIG. 10 shows a detail view of a cross section through the
fixed-bearing mounting rail.
[0021] FIG. 11 shows a partially exploded perspective view of an
electrical storage battery illustrating a housing used therewith
according to an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment, an improved electrical
storage battery is provided in which any desired number of cell
assembly modules are mounted in a battery assembly such that the
storage battery reliably withstands vibration, oscillations, shocks
and bumps, etc. and such that manufacturing tolerances are
compensated for.
[0023] Such an electrical storage battery is provided such that
rectangular cell assembly modules are mounted by means of spring
damping elements in the housing and are in each case arranged in
the intermediate space between the outer area of at least one lower
edge of the cell assembly modules and the housing, with at least
one common spring damping element extending transversely with
respect to the direction of the longest side of the cell assembly
modules along the plurality of cell assembly modules.
[0024] The spring damping elements mean that vibration,
oscillations, shocks, bumps, and the like introduced from the
outside are damped and are therefore very largely absorbed.
Furthermore, the spring damping elements compensate for
discrepancies in dimensions as well as discrepancies in the shape
and position of the components to be installed, by application of
force by means of the spring damping elements. The spring damping
element therefore provides a mounting for the cell assembly modules
in the housing, based on the principle of a loose and fixed
bearing.
[0025] This common spring damping element means that the cell
assembly modules, which are arranged in a row, have a common
bearing.
[0026] Two spring damping elements are preferably arranged in the
outer area of the lower edges of the cell assembly elements, such
that the cell assembly modules are mounted on the housing at their
lower edge by means of the spring damping elements.
[0027] It is also advantageous for a spring damping element to be
arranged on each of the two side edges of the cell assembly
modules. This results in the cell assembly modules also being
supported laterally in the housing by a loose/fixed bearing
arrangement.
[0028] In one particularly advantageous embodiment, a mounting
rail, which has an L-shaped profile, is in each case arranged
adjacent to the transitions between the lower edge and the side
edge of the cell assembly modules. The L-shaped mounting rail has
two limbs, with the two limbs on associated side edges of the limbs
being at right angles to one another. The mounting rails then
extend transversely with respect to the direction of the longest
side of the rectangular cell assembly modules along the plurality
of cell assembly modules, so that the rectangular cell assembly
modules, which are arranged in a row on one another, are each
attached by one limb to the lower face and by the other limb to one
side. The at least one mounting rail, which is provided as a loose
bearing, may have grooves for holding a separate spring damping
element, by a mounting rail being inserted into the groove.
However, it is also feasible for the mounting rail, which acts as a
loose bearing, to itself be composed of a sprung and damping
material and itself to act as a spring damping element. It is also
feasible for the mounting rail, which acts as a loose bearing, to
be screwed to the housing via a spring pack.
[0029] In addition, the cell assembly modules can be connected to
the housing via a fixed bearing or bearings. For this purpose, for
example, the mounting rail may have a projection which engages in a
groove in the cell assembly modules to be held by the mounting
rail, in order to provide a fixed bearing by means of a tongue and
groove connection.
[0030] Furthermore, an additional spring damping element can be
provided on the outer side walls of a block of cell assembly
modules, which are arranged in a row with one another, adjacent to
the neighboring side wall of the housing, and adjacent to the
corresponding side wall of the outer cell assembly modules on the
side wall of the housing, in order to compensate for vibration,
shocks, manufacturing tolerances, and the like.
[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment, the spring damping
elements are formed from a highly elastic elastomer material. For
example, such spring damping elements may be formed from a
technical spring which, for example, is inserted in strips into the
mounting rail such that it is possible to clamp the cell assembly
modules in different axial directions.
[0032] FIG. 1 shows an electrical storage battery 1 having a
multiplicity of rectangular cell assembly modules 2 which are
arranged in a row or rows adjacent to one another on the side
walls. The cell assembly modules 2 have a multiplicity of
rectangular electrodes, which are stacked on one another, separated
by separators, and are accommodated in the outer housing 3 of the
cell assembly module. FIG. 1 also shows the positive and negative
connecting poles 4a, 4b as well as the gas dissipation channels 5
with overpressure valves 6.
[0033] The cell assembly modules 2 are held on the lower side edges
by means of a first and a second mounting rail 7a, 7b, based on the
principle of a loose and fixed bearing. In this case, spring
damping elements 8a, 8b in the form of strips are inserted into
grooves in the mounting rails 7a, 7b, on which the cell assembly
modules 2 are mounted.
[0034] The mounting rails 7a, 7b have an L-shaped profile and each
have two limbs or legs which are at right angles to one another on
associated side edges. The lower limbs of the mounting rails 7a, 7b
are adjacent to the lower edge of the cell assembly modules 2,
while the side limbs are adjacent to the side edges of the cell
assembly modules 2.
[0035] The mounting rails 7a, 7b are screwed tightly to a housing
(shown generically in FIG. 11 as a housing 20 having a first
portion or base 22 and a second portion or cover 24, although it
should be understood that other configurations are possible
according to other exemplary embodiments).
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a cell assembly module 2 and the
left and right mounting rails 7a, 7b. The left mounting rail 7a is
in this case illustrated in an exploded view, and the right
mounting rail 7b is illustrated in the installed state. As can be
seen, a spring 9 which projects from the side limb of the mounting
rails in the direction of the cell assembly module 2 engages in a
corresponding groove 10 incorporated in the narrow face of the
housing of the cell assembly module 2. This provides a fixed
bearing for the cell assembly module 2 on the mounting rail 7,
which nevertheless allows a certain amount of freedom of movement
in the longitudinal direction of the cell assembly module 2 (i.e.,
in the direction of the longest side of the cell assembly module
2).
[0037] As can also be seen, the limbs of the mounting rail 7a, 7b
have grooves into which spring damping elements 8a, 8b, in the form
of strips, are inserted. These spring damping elements 8a, 8b
project from the surface of the limbs in order to support the cells
2. The spring damping element may, for example, be a technical
spring which is formed from a highly elastic elastomer. The fact
that the spring damping elements make contact in the form of strips
in the mounting rails 7a, 7b allows the cell assembly modules 2 to
be clamped in different axial directions. In principle, insertion
in all axial directions is possible. Cell assembly modules 2 which
wish to move over a certain distance as a result of vibration,
oscillations, shocks, bumps or length changes resulting from
temperature influences must apply a force to do so. The opposing
force to be applied can be defined by means of the spring
characteristic of the material used for the spring damping
elements. The increase in force is proportional to the movement
distance.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows a view of the narrow face of a cell assembly
module 2. This clearly shows the groove which extends transversely
from one side wall to the other over the narrow face, and is
intended to engage with the spring 9 on an associated mounting rail
7.
[0039] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the electrical storage battery 1
with a multiplicity of cell assembly modules 2 arranged in a row or
rows. This clearly shows that a further spring damping element 12a,
12b is in each case adjacent to the left and right side walls 11a,
11b and, on the other side, is essentially connected to the entire
surface of the side wall of the adjacent outer cell assembly
modules 2. This means that vibration and shocks that are introduced
into the group of cell assembly modules 2 from the side wall 11a,
11b are also absorbed.
[0040] FIG. 5 shows a detail a from the side view in FIG. 4. The
detailed view shows, even more clearly, the spring damping element
12b inserted between the outer cell assembly modules 2 and the
right-hand side wall 11b.
[0041] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the electrical storage battery
1. Once again, this clearly shows that the mounting rails 7a, 7b
are fitted on the lower face and support the sides with the
rectangular cell assembly modules, which are arranged in a row or
rows on one another. Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows the spring damping
elements 12a, 12b between the side walls 11a, 11b of the housing
and the outer cell assembly modules 2.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a cell assembly module 2 with a
transversely running groove 10, in conjunction with a further
embodiment of mounting rails 7a, 7b for loose and fixed bearing of
a group of cell assembly modules 2 arranged in a row or rows on one
another. The mounting rail 7a, which is provided as a fixed
bearing, has a projection which engages in the grooves 10 in the
cell assembly modules 2. On the opposite side of the cell assembly
modules 2, the mounting rail 7b, which is provided as the loose
bearing, likewise has a rail 13 with a projection which engages in
the grooves 10 of the cell assembly modules 2. The rail 13 is
connected via a spring damping element 14 to a mounting rail 15 so
as to allow the cell assembly modules 2 to expand in the
longitudinal direction (i.e., in the direction from the
fixed-bearing mounting rail 7a to the loose-bearing mounting rail
7b), and this expansion can be compensated for by the spring
damping element 14.
[0043] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an electrical storage
battery 1 having a multiplicity of cell assembly modules 2
supported in the mounting rails 7a, 7b.
[0044] FIG. 9 shows a side view of a cell assembly module 2 with a
further embodiment of mounting rails 7a, 7b for loose and fixed
bearing of the cell assembly module 2.
[0045] FIG. 10 shows a detail view of a cross section through the
loose-bearing mounting rail 7b. This clearly shows that the
loose-bearing mounting rail 7b has a projection (spring) which
engages in the groove 10 in the cell assembly module 2, with a gap
being provided between the cell assembly module 2 and the mounting
rail 7b in order to allow expansion of the cell assembly module 2.
The tongue and groove connection nevertheless ensures that the cell
assembly modules 2 are supported firmly transversely with respect
to the longitudinal direction, and are guided in the longitudinal
direction.
[0046] The mounting rail 7b, which acts as a loose bearing, can
optionally also be formed from a spring damping material according
to other exemplary embodiments.
[0047] The present application claims priority to German Patent
Application No. 10 2006 041 326.1 filed Sep. 1, 2006, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, including
the specification, drawings, claims and abstract.
[0048] It is also important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the electrical storage battery as shown in the
various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a
few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure,
those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily
appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations
in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the
various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use
of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially
departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject
matter recited in the claims. For example, elements shown as
integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements,
the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and
the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be
altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended
to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined
in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or
method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative
embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and
omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and
arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing
from the scope of the present inventions as expressed in the
appended claims.
* * * * *